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Souls for Sale

Play trailer Poster for Souls for Sale 1923 1h 20m Comedy Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Preacher's daughter Remember "Mem" Steddon (Eleanor Boardman) marries charming Owen Scudder (Lew Cody), unaware he's a serial killer, and the newlyweds board the next train out of town. When Mem gets suspicious of Scudder, she ditches the train and is rescued by a film crew. With the encouragement of director Frank Claymore (Richard Dix) and leading man Tom Holby (Frank Mayo), Mem becomes an actress and takes Hollywood by storm -- but Scudder hasn't forgotten his latest wife.

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Souls for Sale

Critics Reviews

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Robert E. Sherwood LIFE [Rupert Hughes] has thereby produced a movie that will be a source of ineffable satisfaction to the fourteen-year-old fans; but he has sold his own soul in the bargain. Oct 6, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member The usual murderer-fake-husband-turned-savor plot hole of the 1920s aside, a very entertaining film full of cameos, self-mockery, and impressive effects. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This early film from 1923 was made for one purpose to improve the immortal reputation of Hollywood in the early-mid 1920's. The story of a young woman fleeing her to be husband she doesn't love on her wedding night & and finding her deserted in the wilderness but actually stumbles upon a Hollywood Set. A very unsubtle attempt to clean up the view of Hollywood & the most interesting parts of the film is when she visits real films being made at the time by Charlie Chaplin & Eric Von Stronheim. It's fun & easy watching & amazing how sincere & genuine they portrayed Hollywood... why don't I believe it ;). Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member watched this movie last night on TCM and really liked it :) good chemistry between eleanor boardman and richard dix. to me they make the more quite special :) the longing looks he gives her is just beautiful. you feel for the the three main leads in general~ eleanor boardman, richard dix and frank mayo and hope things work out for them in the end. also lots of action in the movie and good humor :) glad i watched it :) Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member the original cynical backstage hollywood movie - this is a wry, hilarious take on hollywood stardom during the peak of the silent era, complete with a catalog of huge-name director and actor cameos, most of them playing themselves. 'the player' of its day. the cynicism gives way to a happyish ending, though it's certainly an indictment against manipulative and abusive hollywood power players. the murderous con-man ex-husband plot is thrown in for standard thrills. it's thrilling as an open-eyed look at how the system operated in those days, and how so little has changed. a must-see for anyone who loves silent films and hollywood nostalgia Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member A silent film that can be watched for many reasons: first, as an intriguing story; next, as a commentary against the perceived "evil" of Hollywood and the movies; and finally as an illuminating depiction of the movie industry of the 1920s. Additionally, if you are a historian of Connecticut, or circuses, you'll find the final scenes bring to mind the horrific circus fire in Hartford, Connecticut in 1944. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_circus_fire ) Definitely a "must watch" for any fan of the silent screen or anyone interested in movie history. And did I mention... it's also a great story? Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Souls for Sale

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Preacher's daughter Remember "Mem" Steddon (Eleanor Boardman) marries charming Owen Scudder (Lew Cody), unaware he's a serial killer, and the newlyweds board the next train out of town. When Mem gets suspicious of Scudder, she ditches the train and is rescued by a film crew. With the encouragement of director Frank Claymore (Richard Dix) and leading man Tom Holby (Frank Mayo), Mem becomes an actress and takes Hollywood by storm -- but Scudder hasn't forgotten his latest wife.
Director
Rupert Hughes
Producer
Rupert Hughes
Screenwriter
Rupert Hughes
Production Co
Goldwyn Pictures Corporation
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 23, 2017
Runtime
1h 20m
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